Britons have been warned to wrap up and take care as temperatures plunge to freezing across the country.

Just a day before the official start to winter on December 1, the mercury is expected to fall as low as minus 10C (14F) in some parts.

(PA Graphics)

Britain’s cold spell could make it cooler than Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, which is due to have a high of 7C (44.6F) later in the week, while Helsinki in Finland will see temperatures of between 3C and 4C.

The Met Office has issued ice warnings for northern parts of Scotland overnight, with snow expected to fall on higher ground.

(PA Graphics)

The weather is set to get progressively colder, with Thursday and Friday likely to be the chilliest days, according to the Met Office.

Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “The weather situation is that it’s likely to be getting colder as we go towards Thursday and into Friday

“Pretty much everywhere in the UK will be within touching distance of freezing.”

He added: “In Scotland air temperatures could drop down to minus 10C, but that’s likely only if you are out overnight in the Scottish mountains.”